The international arbitration practice at Baker Botts L.L.P. is heralded as the ‘best one in investment international arbitration’, with extensive experience in headline-grabbing, complex arbitrations worldwide. The team has particular expertise in arbitrations including energy, intellectual property, construction, and contractual disputes, acting on complex US seated and international arbitrations. New York-based Andrew Behrman heads the practice that recently represented the Republic of Peru in dismissing a 20-year-dispute and including $1 billion in damages. In Washington DC, Jennifer Haworth McCandless is key to the practice, along with María Carolina Durán. McCandless takes a ’meticulous, hands-on approach to every aspect of a case’, while Durán has ‘remarkably quick litigation reflexes that allow her to pivot and handle any twist and turn that a case may present’. In Houston, Michael Goldberg is of note, as well as Ben Love, who joined the Houston office from Boies Schiller Flexner LLP in January 2025.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Baker Botts' international arbitration received a significant boost in 2024 with the addition of Jennifer Haworth McCandless and Maria Carolina Duran and their team, which immediately positions the firm as an important player in investor-state arbitration, especially in Latin America.'
‘Jennifer Haworth McCandless has focused on investor-state arbitration for more than two decades, and impresses not only with her experience but also by taking a meticulous, hands-on approach to every aspect of a case.'
- 'Maria Carolina Duran works magic with witnesses in every aspect of a case -- finding them, gathering information from them, enlisting them, focusing them, and preparing them to testify. She has remarkably quick litigation reflexes that allow her to pivot and handle any twist and turn that a case may present.’
‘The firm is the best one in investment international arbitration, especially the DC team.’
‘Jennifer Haworth is probably the most experienced lawyer in the area, she is Sharp and a great strategist. María Carolina Durán is a rising star.’
‘The team is very strong. Jennifer Haworth is very hard-working and thorough.'
'Maria Carolina Duran is a rising star: a strategic thinker, excellent relationship with clients and potential clients, superb management skills.'
'Junior members of the team are excellent, in particular Veronica Restrepo. There is a great cohesion within the team, they work extremely well together and everybody knows their role and tasks.’
Key clients
- Devas Multimedia Private Limited
- Global Industrial Investment Ltd.
- Landry's Inc.
- Oxbow Calcining LLC
- Republic of Peru
- Republic of Panama
- Rocket ball, Ltd.
Work highlights
- Represented the Republic of Peru in the recent dismissal of a 20-year dispute with Peruvian entity, Sociedad Minera Cerro Verde, resulting in a denial of the claimant’s sought $1 billion in damages.
- Represented Devas Multimedia Private Limited, currently in receivership in India, in its defense of an ICC arbitral award now worth approximately $1.3 billion.
- Defended a $100 million claim from ROKiT Marketing, Inc. for breach of the parties' sponsorship agreement, and in prosecuting a $12 million breach of contract claim against ROKiT in an arbitration pending before the American Arbitration Association.
Lawyers
Hall of fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Andrew Behrman
Next generation partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Ben Love
Practice head
Andrew Behrman
Other key lawyers
Jennifer Haworth McCandless; María Carolina Durán; Michael Goldberg; Ben Love; Veronica Restrepo